Steering Rotted

N

NESAR

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Aug 21, 2011
Messages
131
I just got off the phone with the repair shop. He informed me that the steering bracket was rotted. I have a 175hp Merc outboard. He informed me that it would cost me $1300.00 to fix it with labor included in that price. We are a nonprofit and we dont have that kind of money to put into that motor. Is there a way we can do it cheeper to fix it? Im looking for what is involved with this fix. Also We do not have steering on the boat yet we was looking in to getting a no feed back helm and cable for it. Any help will be great.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,676
Re: Steering Rotted

I am not sure what a steering bracket is. A normal steering system consists of the steering wheel and helm, a steering cable and a steering link that connects the cable to the motor. The steering cable end goes thru the tilt tube (a steel pipe) on the motor. If the tilt tube is rotted out (never seen one do that), you simply need to replace it. You would need to lift the motor on a hoist or something to replace it, but $1300 sounds like a lot to replace any of the steering components.

I recommend a picture be posted of the rotten steering bracket.
 
N

NESAR

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
131
Re: Steering Rotted

He told me that it was on the motor side. I don't have any cables hooked to the motor so I know it's not that. Only thing I can think of is it is the part of the steering that the steering link connects too. I don't know. Steering Arm? I think that is what he is talking about;-(
 
j_martin

j_martin

Admiral
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Sep 22, 2006
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7,474
Re: Steering Rotted

Get somebody in your non-profit that can identify an outboard engine in a well lit room to look at it, take pictures, and come back with useful information.

"Rotten steering bracket" sounds like a scam.
 
GA_Boater

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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49,038
Re: Steering Rotted

Get an estimate and give us the details. If you have anyone knowledgeable about boats in your non-profit have them look at it. Does the boat have an existing steering system or are you looking to upgrade?
 
N

NESAR

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Aug 21, 2011
Messages
131
Re: Steering Rotted

After looking at the peace he told me I understand what is going on with it. 13 may be a bit much to fix this but it is a lot of work. I'm not to knowledgeable about boat motors but I am no dummy when it comes to small engines. I may not no the name of the parts but it's not to hard to look it up on the net. OK so this is the problem with it. The staring has a shaft that goes into the motor at the bottom of the shaft it is all lose and needs to be rebuilt.I will try to get a picture. So what was told to me is to get to this you need to pull the motor off and replace all the guts inside. It sound like a lot of work and looks like it also.$(KGrHqN,!jME2H1kCqZgBNjPUCd1+!~~_1.jpg
This is what needs to be replaced.The botom of that shaft is very lose and has lots of play in it.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,676
Re: Steering Rotted

OK, So the motor has play in the lower motor mount, swivel bushing, yoke or all three? Yoke and lower motor mounts are easier to replace than lower swivel bushing.

Why not measure play and report back. Is it 1/4" or more? Where is play exactly?
 
N

NESAR

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
131
Re: Steering Rotted

Soon as I get the boat back I will take a picture of the motor. It looks to me that it all needs to be replaced.There is nothing in there ,it look as it all broke off. As far as the play goes when he moved it it was way more than 1/4'' it may have been 1" or more. For now Ill try to find a picture on the web and post here it is and what I know of it.
 
N

NESAR

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
131
Re: Steering Rotted

View attachment 113638

The play is all in this part of the motor. So to rebuild everything inside what am I looking at for time and parts?
Also what is involved in doing this job? 1987 Merc 6 cyl.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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28,676
Re: Steering Rotted

I could not see the photo. Can you repost as thumbnail?
 
N

NESAR

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
131
Re: Steering Rotted

I hope this works.
 

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C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Re: Steering Rotted

OK, That tpicture is of a tiller Johnnyrude, not a Merc. Also, according to my parts lists there is no 175HP Merc model in 1987.

Using a 200HP Merc from 1987 as a model, the midsection of the motor has a rubber mount that is bolted thru a yoke on the steering rod. This is likely where your play is. The rubber mounts are mounted via a cage to the midsection. You get the play when the rubber between the outes aluminum and inner aluminum tubes fails. if that is what is wrong, remove the ride guide covers over the cages and see if you can get the bolts out of the cages. They may be corroded, so be careful to use some heat and some penetrating oil to help loosen them. You do not want to break them. The rubber mounts will then be able to be unbolted from the yoke. That snap ring you found goes on the end of the steering rod. A lot have fallen off, so don't sweat it.

You will need to drop the gearcase and remove the powerhead to get the yoke off. Of course if the yoke is good, you do not need to remove the gearcase or powerheat to replace the rubber mounts. Get new bolts as well. They are likely 7/16" grade 8 fine thread steel. Replace with the same.
 
N

NESAR

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
131
Re: Steering Rotted

Yes that is not my motor.Just use that as an example. I gave the shop my numbers and told them it was sold to me as a 1987 they said it may be a 1986 late model motor. So should I pay the 1300 to get it fixed or look around to see if I can get a better price? Sounds like it's a lot of work. Here is a diagram. 35.jpg
 
W

will941s

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
540
Re: Steering Rotted

That example thumbnail was a Merc 25 tiller. 15" shaft with shallow water drive
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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28,676
Re: Steering Rotted

Nesar, I would move the yoke on the steering rod and see how much play it has. if the yoke play is small (1/8 inch-1/4 inch), I would replace the rubber mounts and the mount bolts and call it a draw. That should be a simple repair for <$250 in parts. Installation will be pretty easy, altough you need to get the rubber mount cage bolts to cooperate and come out. You may need to cut the rubber mount bolts as well.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Messages
28,676
Re: Steering Rotted

1/4" play is not a problem. That ring could be the snap ring from the end of the steering shaft. It too is not important.
 
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